Automatic weapon user identification and safety module

ABSTRACT

An automatic weapon safety system where power consumption is reduced and safety is increased is disclosed. The system includes a movement detector operatively associated with the handgrip of a weapon for detecting the presence of a hand on the handgrip. The system also has a transceiver operatively associated with the movement detector for sending a coded signal when the weapon has been gripped. The coded signal is received by at least one remote token which receives the coded signal and transmits a coded acknowledgement signal upon receipt of the coded signal. A system is provided for enabling and disabling the weapon, operatively connected to the transceiver for allowing operation of the weapon when the coded acknowledgement signal has been received. The system may include two tokens, which are worn by the authorized user. In this case, the transceiver further includes an anti-collision module to discriminate between the different tokens and select which one will be permitted to issue the coded acknowledgement signal. Also preferably, the transceiver includes an anti-jamming module. Verification of the token can be done every time the trigger is depressed. Alternately, verification can be done only once, when the weapon is first gripped, and authorization remains until the handgrip is let go. Furthermore, since bi-directional RF communication is effected only when the trigger is depressed, power consumption is reduced.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic weapon user identification and safety module.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

[0002] One of the dangers associated with firearms is that they may be operated by a person other than the owner of the firearm. In the context of the present invention, this other person will be hereinafter referred to as “unauthorized user” and the owner, or person authorized to operate the firearm will be hereinafter referred to as “authorized user”.

[0003] A situation which all too frequently arises is that a firearm is taken from a police officer (the authorized user) by an unauthorized user and used against the police officer, resulting in injury or death. However, it should be understood that the present invention is equally applicable to any other situation where an unauthorized user takes control of a firearm.

[0004] Many patents have been proposed to attempt to solve this problem. These patents describe different safety mechanisms to prevent the discharge of a firearm by an unauthorized user.

[0005] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,713,149 describes a keypad interface located on the firearm, with a trigger lock system using a solenoid. In order to enable the firearm, the user must punch a code into the keypad. However, this mechanism reduces the effectiveness of the firearm in emergency situations and does not prevent the firearm from being used by an unauthorized user once the firearm is enabled.

[0006] Biometric systems have also been proposed for authorized user recognition. These systems verify the fingerprint or the voice of the authorized user prior to enabling the firearm, which is usually disabled. Examples of these systems can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,603,179 and 5,560,135. Typically, these systems enable the firearm when the user is approved by a recognition interface which compares a measured sample with a memorized template in the firearm. The drawback of these systems is that, for example, a police officer requires that the firearm be enabled immediately, particularly when facing a suspect. Fingerprint and voice recognition systems still have a high probability of rejecting the authorized user due to an incorrect measurement, or large variations in the biometric sample (due to, for example, stress), which can have disastrous effects for the police officer. Furthermore, these systems require more response time depending on the accuracy and precision of the recognition template.

[0007] Another example of a safety system is U.S. Pat. No. 4,682,435 where the firearm is normally enabled. The system consists of a remote transmitter carried by the authorized user which uses RF communications to disable the firearm. A receiver is integrated in the firearm with a locking mechanism using a solenoid to disable the firing pin or to block the trigger bar. The user is expected to disable the firearm by triggering the RF signal, which is unsafe in an emergency situation or in the case where the authorized user is unconscious.

[0008] Yet another example of a safety system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,168,114. The system consists of a remote RF transmitter worn by a user and a receiver incorporated in the firearm. The locking mechanism is a solenoid electrically connected to the receiver. The firearm is normally disabled and the locking mechanism will unlock the firearm only when the transmitter, held or worn by the authorized user, is located at a predetermined distance from the firearm. The firearm will not fire if the receiver is unable to properly receive the coded RF signal from the transmitter. In this system, the transmitter transmits continuously and the locking system enables and disables the locking system depending on the distance between the firearm and the transmitter. This system has an important drawback in that the transmitter consumes a great amount of power since it is continuously transmitting. Accordingly, small batteries, suitable for incorporation into a small transmitter and receiver, are not adequate to provide long operational life.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,953,844 describes a similar system, making use of a motion detector on the trigger of the firearm. The trigger detector requires authentication of the user each time that the firearm is discharged and this authentication must be carried out in a very short time if it is not to interfere with the firearm use. This leads to high power consumption and a severe limitation on the time allowed for encryption, anti-jamming protocols, and mechanical blocking of the trigger.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an automatic weapon safety module where power consumption is reduced. In accordance with the invention, this object is achieved with a module comprising a unit integral with a firearm. The unit includes handgrip detection means operatively associated with the handgrip of a weapon for detecting the preparation of the weapon for use by the user grasping the handgrip. The unit also comprises transceiver means, preferably RF, operatively associated with the handgrip detection means for sending a coded signal when the handgrip detector on the handgrip has been activated. The coded signal is received by at least one remote token which receives the coded signal and transmits a coded acknowledgement signal upon receipt of the coded signal. Means for enabling and disabling the weapon are operatively associated with the RF transceiver means for allowing operation of the trigger and thereby the firing of the weapon when the coded acknowledgement signal has been received by the transceiver means.

[0011] Preferably, the system includes at least one token worn by an authorized user. In this case, the unit integral to the weapon further uses a collision avoidance technique to discriminate between the different signals sent by more than one token. Also preferably, the integral unit uses an anti-jamming technique.

[0012] In another aspect of the invention, the system is used in a firearm using electronic ammunition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The present invention and its advantages will be more easily understood after reading the following non-restrictive description of preferred embodiments thereof, made with reference to the following drawings in which:

[0014]FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an firearm incorporating the system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0015]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a token for use with the system according to the preferred embodiment of the invention incorporated into a bracelet;

[0016]FIG. 3 is a side view of the bracelet of FIG. 2;

[0017]FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of the trigger movement detection means associated with the trigger of a firearm;

[0018]FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of the handgrip detection means associated with the handgrip of a firearm;

[0019]FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of the components of the unit integrated in the firearm; and

[0020]FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of the components of the token.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0021] As mentioned above, the invention is directed to an automatic safety system for a weapon 1. In the context of the present invention, weapon includes firearms such as rifles, handguns, pistols, etc., and also includes stun guns, and, more broadly, any weapon which includes a handgrip for a user to grip. The invention may easily be adapted to any type of weapon 1, with the proper modifications. For the purposes of explaining the functioning of the present invention, it will be described as incorporated in a handgun 1, shown in FIG. 1. The handgun 1 has a barrel 3, a handgrip 5, a trigger 7 and a firing mechanism, all of which are well known. However, it should be understood that the following description is equally applicable for any type of weapon.

[0022] The system according to a preferred embodiment thereof includes a unit which is integrated into the firearm 1, and at least one token 40 which is remote from the firearm 1. The unit which is integrated into the firearm is sometimes referred to as a “master”, and the token, a “slave”.

[0023] The unit includes handgrip detection means 21 operatively associated with the handgrip 5 of the firearm 1, for detecting the presence or absence of the user's hand on the handgrip 5. Such handgrip detection means 21 are readily available and can take the form of a mechanical switch, position sensor, motion sensor, pressure sensor, capacitive sensor, temperature sensor, optical detector, etc., as long as the handgrip detection means 21 immediately respond to presence of the user's hand on the handgrip 5. As mentioned previously, the handgrip detection means 21 are integral with the firearm 1. The trigger detection means 20 are shown in the same diagram. Trigger detection means 20 are readily available and can take the form of a mechanical switch, position sensor, motion sensor, pressure sensor, capacitive sensor, temperature sensor, optical detector, etc., as long as the trigger movement detection means 20 immediately respond to trigger movement.

[0024] An aspect of the invention lies in the use of a hand-grip detection device to initiate the authentication sequence. Hand-grip detection occurs early in the cycle of preparation for use of the firearm and several hundred milliseconds are available to the system to perform authentication. Hand-grip detection can be very reliable and impervious to errors caused by the wearing of gloves, the ‘handedness’ of the user, or other operational issues. Handgrip detection also implies that the user of the firearm is only authenticated once, when the firearm is prepared for use. In weapons with large ammunition clips this drastically reduces the power required by the authentication circuit and increases the operational life of the circuitry. In such a case, when authentication is performed only once, the unit integral with the weapon places itself into a sleep mode and the weapon is operational until the handgrip is let go (i.e. the handgrip detector is disabled).

[0025] The unit also includes transceiver means 30, preferably RF, operatively associated with the handgrip detection means 21 for sending a coded signal when the handgrip or trigger detector has been activated. The transceiver means 30 are integral with the firearm, and are preferably located in the handle 5 of the firearm 1, or, alternately, are included with a magazine for a firearm. The transceiver means 30 are better shown in FIG. 5, preferably include an antenna 31, a receiver 33 coupled to the antenna 31, an encoding/decoding module 35 and a transmitter 33 coupled to the antenna 31 for sending the coded signal. In a preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the receiver 33 and the transmitter 33 are incorporated into a single interface. The transceiver means 30 also includes power means, such as a battery 32, for powering the transceiver means 30.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the transceiver means are integral with the weapon. The battery is preferably part of the magazine, allowing for quick battery replacement in the field.

[0027] The system further includes at least one token 40 for receiving the coded signal and for transmitting a coded acknowledgement signal upon receipt of the coded signal. The at least one token 40 is separate from the firearm 1, but nonetheless located in close proximity thereof. The token 40, as better shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 6, includes an antenna 41, a receiver 43 coupled to the antenna 41 for receiving the coded signal generated by the transceiver means 30, an encoding/decoding module 45 for creating a coded acknowledgement signal and a transmitter 43 coupled to the antenna 41 for transmitting the coded acknowledgement signal. In a preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the receiver 43 and the transmitter 43 are incorporated into a single interface. The token 40 also includes power means, such as a battery 42, for powering the token 40.

[0028] Preferably, the system only works if the token 40 is located in close proximity to the firearm 1. Accordingly, both the transceiver 30 and the token 40 can be programmed to respond to the coded signal and to the coded acknowledgement signal when the signal strength is above a predetermined threshold, indicating proximity. Typically, this proximity is no greater than approximately 45 cm (or 18 inches).

[0029] The system also includes means 50 for locking and unlocking the trigger operatively associated with the transceiver means 30 for allowing operation of the trigger and thereby the firing of the firearm when the coded acknowledgement signal has been received. The means 50 for locking and unlocking include an enable/disable switch, so that the trigger can be normally disabled (for example in the case of a firearm which is in a house, so that unauthorized users cannot fire the firearm) or normally enabled (for example for a police officer). It should be noted that the means 50 for locking can take the form of a trigger lock, a pin lock or a hammer lock.

[0030] Alternately, in the case where the firearm uses electronic pulses to fire, the system includes means 51 for blocking or passing the electronic pulses used to fire the ammunition and operatively associated with the transceiver means 30 for allowing operation of the firearm when the coded acknowledgement signal has been received. The means 51 for blocking or passing the electronic firing pulses include an enable/disable switch, so that the firing pulses can be normally disabled (for example in the case of a firearm which is in a house, so that unauthorized users cannot fire the firearm) or normally enabled (for example for a police officer).

[0031] One of the advantages of the present invention lies in the bi-directional communication between the transceiver 30 and the token 40. This bi-directional communication considerably reduces the power consumption required, since the system will be used only when the handgrip detector on the handgrip 5 has been activated, i.e. only when a person wishes to prepare the firearm 1 for use.

[0032] Accordingly, the communication protocol between the transceiver 30 and the token 40 is done through RF. When the handgrip 5 is seized by the user and the handgrip detector 21 is activated or if the trigger detector is activated, the transceiver 30 transmits a coded RF signal. Preferably, this coded signal is encrypted, using known encryption techniques and a secret key 37. The token 40 receives the coded signal and decrypts it using a secret key 37, again using known decryption techniques. If the received request is valid, i.e. if it uses a secret key known to the token 40, then the token 40 transmits an encrypted acknowledgement back to the transceiver 30. Upon receipt and decoding, i.e. decrypting of the acknowledgement signal, the transceiver 30 changes the state of the electronic blocking means 50. It should be understood that the blocking/unblocking step depends on the state of the electronic blocking means 50, i.e. enabled or disabled. If the electronic blocking means 50 are disabled, then the receipt of the valid acknowledgement signal will enable it, meaning that the electronic firing pulses will be permitted to fire the firearm when the t rigger is pulled. However, if the electronic blocking means 50 are enabled, they will remain enabled upon receipt of a valid acknowledgement signal and will be disabled if there is no acknowledgement, or if it is invalid.

[0033] The bi-directional nature of the communication also increases the safety of the firearm 1, since an acknowledgement signal is requested each time the handgrip 5 is seized or the trigger detector is actuated.

[0034] Other features may be incorporated in the system according to the present invention by transmitting additional information from the transceiver 30 to the token 40, such as status of the firearm 1 after each firing cycle, the number of shots fired, battery status etc. Of course, if such information is transmitted, the token 40 is preferably equipped to either store the information for future downloading, or to display such information on an LCD display 61, or both.

[0035] As mentioned previously, an authorized user may carry more than one token 40. In such a case, the communication protocol must include anti-collision detection and resolution in the communication protocol, in order to differentiate between the various tokens 40, and accept a coded acknowledgement signal only from one of them. This is the case, for example, where a police officer is a two-handed shooter and carries a token about each wrist. The anti-collision module will also be necessary where many officers are present at a location, each carrying at least one token. If the distances between each are relatively close, the transceiver 30 in the firearm 1 will be receiving acknowledgement signals from all tokens and must be able to discern between them. It should be noted that the system according to the present invention may also be enabled by more than one token, and currently, the system supports up to 55 tokens for any given weapon (or master).

[0036] The technique that is proposed to prevent such a problem is a transmit and stand-off technique. When a coded signal has been sent by the transceiver 30, all the tokens 40 transmit, for example, a pseudo-random sequence of pulses and dead time to see if another token is actually transmitting. The sequence could include 10 to 12 symbols of a random number generated by the token 40. The transceiver 30, through a variety of known techniques such as peak detection, synchronous detection, carrier detection or a combination thereof, determines if there are one or more tokens 40 present, and selects from which token 40 the coded acknowledgement signal must be received. This technique is well known in the art.

[0037] Furthermore, the system must also be jamming-resistant, in order to ensure communication between the token and the transceiver regardless of the electromagnetic environment the authorized user is in.

[0038] The transceiver may also include a self-test to determine if a communication fault is due to an internal problem or to the absence of a token within a predetermined distance.

[0039] Although the present invention has been explained hereinabove by way of a preferred embodiment thereof, it should be pointed out that any modifications to this preferred embodiment within the scope of the appended claims is not deemed to alter or change the nature and scope of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An automatic weapon safety system comprising: a handgrip sensor for detecting when a person grips a handle of a weapon, said handgrip sensor being integral to said weapon; a unit including a transceiver means operatively associated with said handgrip sensor for sending a coded signal when said sensor has been activated, said unit means forming a part of said weapon and including power means; at least one remote token for receiving said coded signal and for transmitting a coded acknowledgement signal upon receipt of said coded signal and further including power means; means for enabling and disabling said weapon operatively associated with said transceiver means for allowing operation of said weapon when said coded acknowledgement signal has been received.
 2. A system according to claim 1, wherein: said unit includes: an antenna; a receiver coupled to said antenna for receiving said coded acknowledgement signal; an encoding/decoding module for creating said coded signal; and a transmitter coupled to said antenna for transmitting said coded signal.
 3. A system according to claim 2, wherein: said at least one remote token comprises: an antenna; a receiver coupled to said antenna for receiving said coded signal; an encoding/decoding module for creating said coded acknowledgement signal; and a transmitter coupled to said antenna for transmitting said coded acknowledgement signal.
 4. A system according to claim 3, wherein: said system comprises more than one token, and said transceiver further comprises an anti-collision technique for discriminating between said more than one token and selecting which one of said more than one token is permitted to issue said coded acknowledgement signal.
 5. A system according to claim 4, wherein said coded signal further includes status information.
 6. A system according to claim 4, wherein said transceiver further includes an anti-jamming module.
 7. A system according to claim 1, wherein said system further includes a trigger movement sensor for detecting a movement of said trigger, said trigger movement sensor being operatively connected to said unit for sending a coded signal upon movement of said sensor.
 8. A system according to claim 1, wherein said weapon is a firearm.
 9. A system according to claim 1, wherein said weapon is a stun gun.
 10. A system according to claim 8, wherein said firearm includes a magazine for holding ammunition, said power means forming part of said magazine, and said unit associated with said handgrip sensor is integral to the firearm.
 11. A system according to claim 8, wherein said firearm includes a mechanical trigger for firing the firearm, and wherein said means for enabling and disabling said weapon include a trigger lock.
 12. A system according to claim 1, wherein said firearm includes an electronic system for firing said firearm, and wherein said means for enabling and disabling said firearm includes means for blocking and passing electronic pulses used to fire ammunition.
 13. A system according to claim 9, wherein said means for blocking and passing electronic pulses include an enable/disable switch. 